UTI extension tubes are fitted to cut down the 30 minute moratorium on completion of cargo, before ullaging can commence, on non-inert ships carrying flammable static cargo.
I have served on couple of brand new Japanese SS Chemical tankers, where this extension tube did NOT have any perforation--just 2 air holes on top to let out trapped air.
ON THESE BRAND NEW SHIPS MADE IN JAPAN, I WAS FORCED TO MAKE A SMS REPORT.
No amount of written and detailed verbal explanations could make the Japanese Tech Marine / Engr superintendents , the Shipyard Yard Managers and the Owners understand.
Sometimes ego makes you blind-- or maybe they were plain stupid.
Observation-System Improvement
Monday, January 05, XXX 6:08:55 AM
Case type | Observation-System Improvement |
Date (dd.MM.yyyy) * | 05.01.XXX |
Time (HH:mm) | 06:00 |
Vessels name * | Chemical Carriers - XXXX |
Area * | Tanks/cargo spaces |
Company * | XXXX |
Identified by | Master |
Title * | 01G OF 2009 NCO---UTI EXTENSION TUBES PERFORATION |
Description * | 01G OF 2009 NCO---UTI EXTENSION TUBES PERFORATION All XXX tankers who have UTI tube extensions must have it perforated as required by ISGOTT/ OCIMF. Otherwise few litres of water can get squirted inside the tube by weight of chemical on top and the bill of lading figure will be wrong—casuing unlimited liabilities. On XXX UTI pipe extends to tank bottom with entry only at bottom. this creates a situation where vessel is forced to do open ullaging/ sampling as follows-- a) high mp cargoes will freeze inside and will restrict sampler from going down by gravity. b) source of contamination. c) ullage for foaming cargoes is not representative of tank content. d) temperature of UTI is not representative of tank content. e) with sediment cargoes UTI ullage is not accurate. f) first foot sample failure can occur due to no fault of ship. g) the wedge formula used for calculating yard provided ullage tables becomes redundant –as the formula is based on tape assuming vertical position by gravity. h) certain cargoes like latex can never be loaded , though possible to load by COF and SS resistance tables. i) few litres of water at tank bottom will be pushed up into non perforated extension pipe by inmixible cargo on top –and UTI readings will indicate full tank of water while the cargo tank actually has negligible water. wrong bill of lading figures can cause financial disaster. this perforated arrangement is required on parcel chemical tankers by USCG / port state / CDI / vetting . a “perforated” extension tube is merely to avoid 30 minutes moratorium for dissipating static charges, in case tank is not inerted. so either crop the pipe extension into tank or put holes on entire length. CHEMICAL TANKERS WHICH HAVE LATEX IN COF-- CANNOT HAVE A EXTENSION TUBE AT ALL. |
Substandard acts/practices | 01 - Failure to follow rules and regulations |
Substandard condition | 20 - Defective equipment, machinery or tools |
Personal factors | 05 - Lack of knowledge |
Job factors | 09 - Inadequate design |
Control action failure | 01 - Leadership and administration - A: Inadequate requirements/guidelines |
Action | |
Suggested preventive/corrective actions | ALL XXX TANKERS WHO HAVE UTI TUBE EXTENSIONS TO BE SLOTTED OR PERFORATED-- THIS MEANS DOZENS OF HOLES ON ENTIRE LENGTH-- NOT JUST ONE OR TWO ON TOP. THERE MUST BE AT LEAST ONE INCH ENTRY CLEARANCE AT THE BOTTOM . |
CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL
29 YEARS IN COMMAND
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